Sequential bilateral total knee arthroplasty under 1 anesthetic in patients >= 75 years old - Complications and functional outcomes

The objectives of this study were to determine the perioperative surgical a nd medical risks associated with sequential bilateral total knee arthroplas ty (TKA) in patients greater than or equal to 75 years old and to assess th eir functional status and overall level of satisfaction at follow-up. Study participants were 82 consecutive patients greater than or equal to 75 year s old wlio underwent a sequential bilateral TKA and 82 matched patients who underwent a unilateral TKA. There were 46 postoperative complications in t he bilateral TKA group compared with 27 in the unilateral TKA group (P = .0 03). Postoperative cardiovascular complications were significantly greater in the sequential bilateral TKA group and were associated significantly wit h preoperative cardiovascular comorbidity. The mean Modified Hospital for S pecial Surgery knee score was rated as good (mean, 63.5 out of 80), and 95% of patients rated their knees as excellent or good at follow-up. Sequentia l bilateral TKA in patients greater than or equal to 75 years old results i n high patient satisfaction and good functional status at follow-up; howeve r, there is an increased risk of cardiovascular complications during the po stoperative period in bilateral sequential TKA patients when compared with a matched cohort of unilateral TKA patients.